Second Half of Summer

We ended our summer with a bang around here.  We spent 5 days in Silverthorne with Katy, James, and Mac (with the dads up there for a couple of the days).  With the exception of some major tantrums by my older son, it was so much fun!  I really hope we can make it a tradition :)

One day, we took the gondola to the top of Breckenridge.  Gus and Mac are pretty pumped.

At the top, they had all kinds of ridiculously expensive kids' activities, so we all agreed a wild round of putt-putt would be best.

There was still snow at the top!

Oh Gus.... why can't you just smile for the camera?!

After a couple weeks of swimming lessons and random other fun summer stuff, we spent 6 days in Steamboat with all of the O'Reillys.  We stayed in a beautiful home and all eight kids had a great time!  One day, we went to Strawberry Park to swim... very pretty but not super kid-friendly.

George and Pa...

We took a bike ride into town and hung out by the river.  It's so beautiful up there!

Nana helped the kids make their own personalized lollipops.

We had a construction site right outside our door.  The kids were very entertained.

Sean doing a little fishing... no fish were caught.

George and Ryan carrying a large number of sticks on our walk.  I don't remember why they said they needed them all, but they brought them back to the house.  I love this picture because it looks like they are having a good, big-kid conversation about life :)

Possible Christmas card photo preview!!!

This really was a wonderful summer.  California, Sand Dunes, camping, Steamboat, swimming lessons, picnics, Silverthorne, adventure camp, Fourth of July party, redecorated the boys' room, and lots and lots and lots of smiles.  I am so blessed that going back to work for me still means that I get this time with the boys.  I feel so lucky that we get to be together as much as we do.  Hooray for summer 2013!